Bobby (Boo) came into our lives through foster care when he was five years old. He came with only a few instructions. One was to keep him indoors during the winter months, because he might get sick. So when the snow fell that first winter, we bundled him up and buckled him into a pair of skis (we don’t always follow instructions). It was an instant romance. He fell in love with winter -- being outside and being on the mountain. As those of you who know and love this little boy, you can understand how learning to ski has presented him with numerous challenges. Even after five seasons of lessons and countless days on the mountain, Bobby’s high anxiety and overall fear of getting hurt kept him at a snowplow and on the beginner trails. It was becoming yet another activity where he was not showing improvement and/or growth.

That is when a friend recommended Mount Snow Adaptive Sports (MSAS). For the past three seasons, Bobby has been guided down the mountain with instruction and support from specially trained staff and/or volunteers who have helped him build skills while staying safe. By the end of the first season he was skiing on intermediate trails and, for one of the first times in his young life, he was feeling a sense of personal accomplishment and pride. This season you can find him flying down his favorite trail Rollercoaster at Mount Snow!

This year Bobby was invited to be a part of Mount Snow Adaptive Sports Special Olympics team for his 2nd year! Last year he won two golds and one silver in the Novice category! This year he will be competing as an Intermediate in the Super G, the Giant Slalom and Slalom races! He participates in lessons weekly with MSAS staff (Monday mornings) and trains every Sunday morning for three hours with Julian his MSAS dedicated personal coach. MSAS has done this for Bobby at no financial cost to our family. Since Bobby (now an officially adopted Petrie) is one of four siblings we are humbled and beyond appreciative of this program and its staff and volunteers. SO PLEASE JOIN US in supporting MSAS by donating to MSAS and support them in bringing Bobby to the Vermont Special Olympics on March 18-20!